The news came on Google’s official blog today. The company has also posted a video of how it works:

The new app provides direct answers and uses a “card” format familiar to Android 4.1 (and now some Android 4.2) users who have the Google Now service:

It was never clear exactly why it took the app so long to emerge after it was submitted. Neither Google nor Apple said. But it’s available now through iTunes for those with iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

For those wanting a Google Maps app for iOS, keep waiting. This new app doesn’t do maps.